Changzhou Tianning Temple

　　Tianning Temple is situated on Yanling East Road in Changzhou and has long been hailed as the “Number One Buddhist Forest in the Southeast.” In March 1982, it was designated as a key cultural relics protection unit of Jiangsu Province, and in April 1983, the State Council listed it as a nationally key open temple. Originally built during the Zhenguan and Yonghui eras of the Tang Dynasty (627–652–655 AD), the temple’s founding is attributed to the Chan (Zen) Buddhism master Fahui, the first patriarch of the Niutou (Ox-Head) School. He began constructing the site when he saw that monks in the mountains lacked food, and while fundraising in his hometown of Changzhou, he “built over ten simple rooms,” marking the temple’s inception. During the Tianfu era (901–904 AD), Master Weikang passed through Changzhou, learned of Fahui’s earlier efforts, and “offered sarira (relics) and chose the temple site,” formally establishing the monastery and naming it Guangfu Temple. Before long, Yang Xingmi, the military governor of Huainan, renamed it Qiyun Temple and honored Weikang as Elder Qiyun. In 1070 AD (the third year of the Xining era of the Northern Song Dynasty), Emperor Shenzong issued an edict requiring all prefectures and counties to build Chongning Temples, leading to its renaming as Wanshou Chongning Temple. In 1111 AD (the first year of the Zhenghe era), Emperor Huizong renamed it Tianning Temple. By 1137 AD (the seventh year of the Shaoxing era of the Southern Song Dynasty), it was changed again to Baoying Guangxiao Temple, soon followed by another name change to Guangxiao Temple. In 1142 AD (the twelfth year of Shaoxing), Emperor Gaozong, in memory of Emperor Huizong who died in captivity in the Jin state, decreed that Guangxiao Temple be renamed Chongfeng Huimiao Daochang (Monastery for Venerating Emperor Huizong). During the Yuan Dynasty (1335–1340 AD), it reverted to the name Tianning Temple, which has been used ever since. Over these more than 1,300 years, Tianning Temple has experienced many trials, being destroyed and rebuilt five times. It was ruined during the wars between the Southern Tang and Wu states in the Five Dynasties period, and also suffered during the Song-Jin conflicts. In 1431 AD (the sixth year of the Xuande era of the Ming Dynasty), Zen Master Jingyin oversaw a major expansion of the temple. Xu Wen of the Ming Dynasty wrote in the Record of the Reconstruction of Tianning Temple, “Tianning Temple commands the scenic beauty of the upper reaches of the Three Wu region and stands as the foremost Buddhist forest in the Southeast.” The temple was nearly reduced to ashes during the Taiping Rebellion. The current main halls were constructed over nearly 40 years during the Tongzhi and Guangxu reigns of the Qing Dynasty under the leadership of Zen Masters Zhencong, Qingru, and Yekai. The complex includes eight halls, 25 chapels, and 24 towers. With its vast foundation, towering buildings, solemn Buddha statues, and large monastic community, it was ranked alongside Zhenjiang’s Jinshan Temple, Yangzhou’s Gaomin Temple, and Ningbo’s Tiantong Temple as one of the “Four Great Buddhist Forests of the Southeast.” During the Cultural Revolution, all the temple’s Buddha statues were destroyed. After the Third Plenary Session of the 11th CPC Central Committee in 1979, the Changzhou municipal government decided to restore Tianning Temple as a venue for Buddhist activities. In January 1981, the Tianning Temple Restoration Committee was officially established, committed to restoring the temple “as it was originally, returning it to its former appearance.” After over five years of work, by 1986, the halls were fully renovated, Buddha statues were recast, and new ritual instruments were forged. In 1996, new structures such as the Mountain Gate Hall, the Three Jewels Hall, and a vegetarian restaurant were added, bringing the ancient temple back to its former glory described as having “roofs reaching the heavens and golden hues shining like rosy clouds.”

　　Since 1981, Tianning Temple has reinstated the monastic system, with over 70 resident monks abiding by common regulations. Its management structure is well-established, and its rules and precepts are strictly observed. Monks manage their respective departments democratically, with various management systems in place. The temple follows the daily rhythms of morning bells and evening drums, performs rituals twice a day, and engages in morning and evening practices, maintaining a religious lifestyle and upholding the monastic discipline.